Speaking: Give three speeches, one unrehearsed, that a local teacher rates as meeting state standards.

Source: Oregon Department of Education

State board members signaled they plan no delay in raising graduation requirements in reading, writing and oral presentation. This year's freshmen are the first who will have to pass state reading and writing tests and give speeches judged acceptable by their local teacher to get a diploma.

But board members said that since almost half of sophomores fail the math test on their first try, it would be too daunting for schools to get all students proficient in math by 2012 without a big infusion of money -- money the state doesn't have in a recession. The board agreed to postpone the math test requirement until 2014.

"For those students who are behind in math, schools will need additional resources for additional supports -- after-school classes and summer classes and so forth," said school board Chairman Duncan Wyse, president of the Oregon Business Council.

"A quarter to a third of the students are going to have significant challenges in meeting the math standards. It could be done, but it would take a significant crusade."

Board member Brenda Frank, a tribal education leader from Klamath Falls, said she worries about small, rural districts. "I don't think they have the capacity to bring their students up," she said.

Gov. Ted Kulongoski urged the board last month to consider delaying the more rigorous diploma requirements, saying the state can't afford to give schools millions more dollars needed to improve their results.

Currently, more than one-third of Oregon sophomores fail the state reading and writing tests and nearly half fail in math.

Educators applauded the governor's call for delaying higher graduation standards. An advisory panel of superintendents, principals and teachers recommended that the state stick with plans to require students to pass the state reading test to graduate beginning in 2012 but delay the requirement to show proficiency in math, speaking and writing until 2014.

Most state board members said they still believe schools can get students prepared in writing and speaking as well as in reading.

Six of seven board members expressed support for delaying the math requirement. Only Lew Frederick, a Portland consultant, questioned why schools could not get students up to par in mathematics.

"I would like to know from districts what is getting in the way," Frederick said. "What I am sure we will hear from parents is, 'Well, they've got the math teachers at the school. They should be able to do it.'... I worry we're losing the window of opportunity to get (students) able to handle the kinds of math skills that are expected out there."

The board is seeking reaction to a new timetable and will formally vote on the delay in math requirements in January.